“It seems like big tobacco hasn’t gotten the message, our kids are off-limits. Like most parents of young children, I can hardly imagine yet another industry targeting our kids,” Tong said. “And yet the major e-cigarette companies, i.e., the vaping industry, have set their sights on our kids like their big brothers the tobacco industry have done for so long. They use new and creative marketing ploys — advertising that looks more like branding for cookies, juice boxes, even whipped cream. And now the vaping industry is offering scholarships. We must take action and take it now.”

As Attorney General, Tong would take the following actions:

Launch an investigation and potential legal action to focus on the marketing practices of e-cigarette companies, with particular emphasis on how they target minors and young people;

Propose a law to raise the smoking and vaping age to 21, and prohibit the sale of tobacco and nicotine products, including vaping products, to anyone under 21

Propose a law to prohibit online sales of vaping products; and

Increase fines and penalties for marketing or selling tobacco and nicotine products to minors, including vaping products.